bull-roarer

[boo l-rawr-er, -rohr-]

noun

a wooden slat that produces a roaring sound when whirled around one's head on the end of a string or thong, used by some peoples of the world in religious ceremonies and by others as a toy.

Origin of bull-roarer

First recorded in 1880–85

Also called thunderstick.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bullroarer

Historical Examples of bullroarer

The sanctity of the bullroarer has been shown to be very widespread.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4
Various
Though treated as a toy by Europeans, the bullroarer has had the highest mystic significance and sanctity among primitive people.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4
Various
At certain Moqui ceremonies the procession of dancers was led by a priest who whirled a bullroarer.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4
Various

British Dictionary definitions for bullroarer

bullroarer

noun

a wooden slat attached to a thong that makes a roaring sound when the thong is whirled: used esp by native Australians in religious rites

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012